Spin City

An authoritative breakdown of the best spin studios in Dallas

It’s nearly June. How’s that new year’s resolution to get in shape going? Fret not. In addition to being the de facto destination for taquerias and BBQ joints, Dallas has become quite the hub of top-flight cycling studios. (Case in point: We’re getting our very own SoulCycle at the beginning of June.)

Here, we break down the best spots to torch calories and maybe even have a little fun.

Flywheel Sports
Located in Highland Park and Plano, Flywheel Sports offers classes ranging from 30 to 90 minutes. Climbs and upper-body exercises are incorporated for a full-body workout, and all classes are set to music. Partial to pop? Love grunge? Go for Flywheel Theme Ride built around a specific music or pop culture theme.

$: Single classes start at $20; unlimited packages start at $150 a month. Prices vary per location; the first class is free.

Vibe: Intense. Not for the faint of heart, Flywheel is a favorite among those best motivated by a little friendly competition. Compete with classmates to see your name in lights; stats are displayed on the TorqBoard at the front of the room.

FYI: You can view performance stats via their iPhone app and website to track progress and set future goals. For a change of pace, try FlyBarre, a mat-based sculpting class. Shoes, towels, and lockers are complimentary.

Lync Cycling
Formerly Beyond Pedaling, Lync Cycling in Snider Plaza was recently reopened with a fresh, new name chosen to reflect the philosophy on which the studio’s is built: Riders and instructors are all linked together, and the success of one is success for all. Classes are 45 minutes (with the exception of 60-minute Happy Hour Rides). A location in Plano opened earlier this year.

$: Single classes cost $25; unlimited packages start at $145 a month. The first class is free.

Vibe: Fun. Fun. Fun. High-energy rides set to a rhythmic soundtrack take place in a candlelit room. All instructors started as clients and offer motivational coaching, as opposed to the tough love seen in some studios.

FYI: Easily bored? Shake things up with a high-energy theme ride. (Think: Beyonce vs. Rihanna)

SoulCycle
The mega-chain currently has 56 locations nationwide, the majority in New York and Los Angeles, but this location and one in Houston are the brand’s first forays into Texas. Most classes are 45 minutes, but there are also higher intensity 60- and 90-minute classes for the truly hardcore. Special teen classes are also available.

$: First class is $20; single classes start at $30. You can buy classes in bulk at five for $145 or 10 for $280.

Vibe: Club-like, with pulsing music and mood lighting. Celebs love it, so you never know who might be on the bike next to you.

FYI: Mark your calendar for Mondays at noon, when class sign-up opens for the week. Cycling shoes are recommended, and you can rent them for $3.

Spin4Life Studios
Founded in 2008 by celebrity trainer and former college football player Keith Owens, Spin4Life (S4L) in Uptown focuses on extreme cardiovascular workouts. Fifty-minute group spin sessions are offered throughout the week, in addition to circuit training classes that focus on strength, toning, and flexibility.

$: Single classes cost $25; unlimited packages start at $99 a month.

Vibe: High-energy. Music is upbeat, and the staff is friendly. Owens strives to help clients reach their individual goals through encouragement and accountability.

FYI: Owens also offers personal training sessions.

Terlingo Cycle
After 10 years in LA, trainer to the stars and man-about-town John Terlingo returned to his roots to found Terlingo Cycle (or TGO) in Oak Lawn. Rhythm-based, 45-minute classes incorporate hand weights and core exercises for full-body benefits. Terlingo is known for his playlists, which is a good thing considering classes are geared to feel more like and "inspirational journey" set to music than a workout.

$: Single classes cost $30.

Vibe: Exclusive. A favorite of the Dallas society set, TGO features minimalist decor and houses top-of-the-line Schwinn bikes.

FYI: Classes book up; reserve your spot on the website in advance. For TGO swag, stop by the T-Shop which is stocked with seasonal apparel. Shoes are available for rent or purchase and towels are complimentary.

The Ride House
Touting itself as “the ultimate sensory cycling experience,” Ride House on Lovers Lane counts ambient lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system among the features that set it apart from other studios around town. It's also 3,000 square feet, home to 45 Schwinn Carbon Blue Bikes and a secondary studio exclusively for stretching.

$: Single classes cost$25; unlimited packages start at $195 a month. The first two classes are free.

Vibe: Nightclub meets gym. The neon lights and loud music are almost — almost — enough to make you forget you're working out.

FYI: Spa-like changing rooms and showers are available on site. Towels are complimentary; shoes are available for rent.

Zyn22
Built on the philosophy of yoga and the artistry of dance, Zyn22 combines indoor cycling with weight training to give students whole-body benefits, while strengthening body and mind. Forty-five minute classes are held at The Shops at Park Lane and in Central Fort Worth. Southlake and Uptown locations are coming soon.

$: Single classes cost $22; unlimited packages start at $165 a month. The first class is free. Inquire about student discounts.

Vibe: Totally Zen. ZYN22 strives to motivate and make working out fun by incorporating dance set to inspirational music into workouts that are said to blast 600-900 calories.

FYI: Check out the ZYNBlog for healthy and healthyish recipes (like this three-ingredient margarita). Shoes are complimentary.

CycleBar
Flower Mound has the first North Texas location of this nation-wide studio, but others are in development for Allen, Southlake, Frisco, and Plano. The multi-sensory theatrical experience lets you monitor your stats, and there's even a program called CycleGiving that helps organizations raise money through indoor rides.

$: First ride is free or first three classes for $29; drop-in rate is $21 and there are many different packages.

Vibe: Fun and upbeat, CycleBar classes sometimes follow a theme: Mashup Monday, Throwback Thursday, happy hour, and even brunch.

FYI: Shoes, snacks, and water are complimentary.

Zyn22 utilizes weight training in its cycling classes.

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Weed News

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Dallas over decriminalization of marijuana

Photo courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife

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The City of Dallas has been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for its efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

According to a release, Paxton has sued the city for adopting a city charter amendment that would decriminalize marijuana-related offenses and prohibit police from enforcing Texas law.

That amendment was Proposition R, or Dallas Freedom Act, which decriminalizes possession of four ounces of marijuana or less. Voters passed the amendment in the November 5 election, with 67 percent voting in favor.

The lawsuit, filed against the Dallas City Council, alleges that Proposition R is unconstitutional and violates Texas drug laws criminalizing any amount of marijuana.

Paxton says that cities can't "pick and choose which state laws to follow." He's proposing a permanent injunction to stop Proposition R from going into effect.

"The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them," says Paxton in a statement. "This is a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution, and any city that tries to constrain police in this fashion will be met swiftly with a lawsuit by my office.”

Before the recent election, possession of two to four ounces of marijuana could result in a punishment of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Ground Game Texas, the activist nonprofit that has also helped get marijuana decriminalization on the ballot in elections across Texas, first got the issue on the ballot in July with the necessary 50,000 signatures.

Dallas is not the only city to be sued; Paxton also filed lawsuits against five other cities in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos in January for their ballots and policies decriminalizing marijuana.

Both Austin and San Marcos had a judge overturn their cases, according to a FOX 4 report.

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